An organisation representing rate and taxpayers in Ipoh wants the state government to take a second look at its quit rent rates and water tariffs which it considers as heavy burdens for the public.

The Ipoh Ratepayers And Taxpayers Association (Irata) deputy president Victor Sankey said: "What justification is there for the state to ask property owners to pay quit rent of RM3.50 per square foot on their property when they do not enjoy any visible services?

"When a property owner pays the assessment charges to the local authority it is for the many services provided, but taking into account the quit rent how do the people benefit from such collection? " he asked.

plus highway sg besi 180205 aerial view 02 close up The people pay toll for highways, pay road tax for using cars on public roads apart from paying an annual driver's licence fee, he pointed out.

So, he argued that quit rents are tantamount to double taxation which seem to impose hardship on the people. If at all quit rents are to be the order of the day, a token sum should suffice, he added.

Sankey was commenting on recent media reports on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's desire to discuss with all state governments on concluding agreements on standardising the existing water tariffs and quit rent rates.

Irata welcomes Najib's proposal as long as it benefits the public.

He also urged the authorities to review water tariffs and bring them down to affordable limits.

"Private sector conglomerates have become big players to get rich at the expense of the poor," Sankey said.

"Water is a precious commodity and the resource should be carefully protected from exploitation by any quarter for excessive profit," he added.